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Training Institutions

International Transportation Training Resources Guide

As an extension of its domestic responsibilities to ensure transportation safety, and in recognition of the role of transportation systems in stimulating trade and economic development for the United States and its friends around the world, the DOT views international outreach as a core mission.

In addition to our normal coordination and cooperative activities with our international transportation counterparts, we recognize the mutual benefit of sharing our knowledge and supporting the transfer of technology to our partner nations. DOT is pleased to make the courses of our training institutes available on a fee-for-service basis to official trainees from other countries. These courses are open to qualified, admitted staff of our overseas counterpart agencies and institutions who are able to arrange for their own course funding, or where third party funding institutions, either U.S. or international, will fund the cost of the training.

Training Funding Resources

NOTE: To secure training at a USDOT training institution, you must be employed by a public transportation department or authority and secure your employer’s nomination.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Academy, located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, is the primary provider of aviation technical training for air traffic control system personnel (including electronic technicians, system specialists, aviation safety inspectors, manufacturing inspectors, foreign aviation personnel, and engineers) in the maintenance and installation of electronic systems and air navigational systems. The FAA Academy also delivers in-country training and technical assistance. Some courses can be customized to meet the country’s requirements.

The Federal Aviation Administration’s Center for Management and Executive Leadership (CMEL), which is a division of the FAA Academy, provides training, conferencing and professional development to government leaders, managers, supervisors, and other public sector personnel. CMEL also offers made-to-order programs and conferences. The primary focus of CMEL’s training is to strengthen leadership, management and supervisory and interpersonal skills for transportation professionals.

The primary mission of the National Highway Institute (NHI), which is the training and education arm of the Federal Highway Administration, is to provide technical training for federal, state and local transportation professionals and the private sector. It is also able to provide these services to members of the international transportation community. NHI develops and administers transportation-related training and education programs that assist in applying new technologies to the planning, design, construction, maintenance, and rehabilitation of the United States’ transportation infrastructure. In support of the Federal Highway Administration’s international highway outreach efforts, NHI conducts and promotes training courses, seminars, and conferences, as well as professional exchanges, to transportation organizations around the world.

The National Transit Institute (NTI) was established to develop, promote, and deliver training and education programs for the public transit industry, government officials and the general public. Located at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, NTI’s mission is to provide training and education services in support of public transportation and quality of life in the United States. NTI programs are developed in collaboration with the Federal Transit Administration and other public transportation organizations at all levels. NTI identifies needs; promotes, develops, and delivers programs and materials through cooperative partnerships with industry, government, institutions, and associations; and serves as a catalyst for enhancing skills and performance in public transportation.

The Transportation Technology Center, Inc. (TTCI), located near Pueblo, Colorado, is a world-class training facility for railway-related technologies. As a technical research and test facility for the Federal Railroad Administration, TTCI’s mission of “accelerating the use of clean, safe and efficient technologies by railways worldwide” is addressed by engaging in both the development and transfer of technology applicable to all phases of railroad and transit operations.

The Security and Emergency Response Training Center (SERTC), established at TTCI, trains transportation service industry employees, public emergency responders, chemical industry employees, government agencies, and emergency response contractors from all over the world. SERTC also offers first responder courses in Spanish and Portuguese, with advanced courses currently offered in Mexico, Brazil, Chile and other Latin American countries. In prior years, SERTC offered courses in Australia, Malaysia, Spain, and Portugal..

John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (Volpe Center), part of the USDOT Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA), is an internationally recognized Federal center of transportation expertise, whose primary mission is to improve the Nation’s transportation system. The Volpe Center is a world-class transportation resource with multidisciplinary capabilities in all modes of transportation. The Volpe Center provides a number of key technical services, including the delivery of customized training on a broad spectrum of transportation issues. The Volpe Center’s work is performed for USDOT, as well as other Federal, state, local, and international agencies and entities.

The Transportation Safety Institute (TSI) serves as the primary source of transportation safety and security training on domestic and international levels for federal, state, and local government agencies, as well as for the transportation industry. TSI’s specialized training is delivered to clients throughout the world at a client’s selected location or at the TSI campus located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. It includes human factors, risk management, accident investigation, hazardous materials, program management, and instructor development with specific programs in aviation safety, motor carrier safety, traffic safety, transit safety and security, and hazardous materials transportation. TSI also provides technical assistance in developing and implementing transportation safety programs, including safety management systems.

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